System and method for mounting a fresh air exchanger to a window frame assembly

ABSTRACT

A window-mounting and sealing system and method for manual installation of a fresh air exchanger is provided. The system features hand-adjustable, snap-fit connectors and fasteners, and accommodates any standard window size by using pre-sized snap-off features for a quick, adaptable, and manual installation. The system includes a mounting frame and two end panels, which include multiple hand-breakable (snap-off) sections for manually adjusting the width of each end panel for a proper fit to the window frame. One or more connectors associated with each end panel connect each end panel to the mounting frame. The connector(s) may be positioned on one or both of the end panel and the mounting frame. In addition, the system includes one or more fasteners to mount the assembled system to a window frame assembly. An insulating layer can be positioned within each panel. The insulating layer may also include detachable sections that can be manually detached to accommodate window of various sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a window-mounted fresh air exchangerinstallation system, and more particularly, to a window-mounting andsealing system for easy installation of an air exchanger in a moveablesash window frame.

The use of window-mounting systems for the installation of fresh airexchangers, such as air conditioners, fans, humidifiers, and energyrecovery ventilators, is well-known in the prior art. Such systemstypically require attaching some type of bracketing hardware to thefresh air unit itself, as well as semi-permanent installations of endpanels for proper weatherproofing, to cover the gap between the airexchanger and the sides of the window frame. The end panels must besized or pre-cut for the particular window width and sealed withcaulking, for example, upon installation. These prior art systems,therefore, require the installation of hardware on the installed units,tools for properly sizing the end panels, and the application ofadditional sealing or weatherproofing techniques.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,803 to Kong et al., issued Oct. 14, 1975, disclosesa window frame mounting arrangement that includes an adjustable topchannel assembly that is secured to the top wall of an air conditionercabinet, and which engages with a permanently installed peg in eachopposing window jamb. The arrangement further includes accordion styleclosure wings to seal off the side openings of the window from theoutside air. U.S. Pat. No. 3,476,033 to Appel, issued Nov. 4, 1969,similarly discloses a flexible curtain which attaches at a front edge ofthe air conditioner casing and expands to cover the gap between thecasing and the sides of the window frame. Added weather-proofing istypically provided to seal the edges of the flexible wings or curtain tothe window frames. These prior art systems require both the installationof hardware on the installed units, and added measures for propersealing.

There is a need, therefore, for a window-mounting and sealing system foreasy manual installation of a fresh air exchanger in a moveable sashwindow frame, which easily accommodates a wide variety of standardwindow sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, which addresses the needs of the prior art,relates to a window-mounting and sealing system for easy manualinstallation of a fresh air exchanger in a moveable sash window frameassembly, which is manually adjustable to a wide variety of standardwindow sizes.

The present invention relates to a window-mounting and sealing systemfor manual installation of a fresh air exchanger in a window frameassembly having a moveable sash, and to the combination of the systemwith the fresh air exchanger. The system features manually operable,i.e., hand-adjustable, snap-fit connectors and fasteners, andaccommodates any standard window size, preferably by using pre-sizedsnap-off features, for a quick, adaptable, and manual installation.

The system includes a mounting frame for receiving a fresh airexchanger, which has a first end and a second end. Also included are endpanels, which include a plurality of detachable sections for manuallyadjusting a width of each end panel for a proper fit to the windowframe. One or more connectors associated with each end panel connecteach end panel to the first and second ends of the mounting frame. Theconnector(s) may be positioned on one or both of a first end, forexample, of the mounting frame, and an end panel. In addition, thesystem includes one or more fasteners for mounting the assembled systemto a window frame assembly.

Preferably, the end panels include a front and back side, and the systemincludes an insulating layer positioned between the front and back sideof each end panel.

The window-mounting and sealing system of the present invention may beused to install any fresh air exchanger, such as an air conditioner, afan, a humidifier, a heater, or an energy recovery ventilator.

The system may also include window sill grips for securing the system toa window sill. Each window sill grip is manually extendable from themounting frame.

A width of each of the two end panels is manually adjustable bydetaching one or more of the detachable sections. In one embodiment, theplurality of detachable sections are hand-breakable sections. The widthof each end panel is adjustable by snapping off one or more sections, asneeded.

The insulating layer preferably includes a removable block of insulatingfoam, which is also partitioned into a plurality of hand-breakablesections. The snap-off sections allow for manual adjustment of theremovable block to the adjusted width of each end panel.

The detachable sections of the insulating layer and the end panels arepreferably equally-spaced, and are preferably about one-inch wide. Thismanual adjustability for width facilitates installation of the system atleast into standard window frames ranging from 24 inches to at least 38inches wide.

Any combination of manually operable connectors may be used to manuallyconnect each end panel to the mounting frame. One type of connectorincludes a locking clip on either the mounting frame or the end panel.The locking clip snaps onto a properly positioned protruding edge on theother one of the end panel and mounting frame that does not include thelocking clip to manually connect one of the end panels to one of theends (the first end, e.g.) of the mounting frame.

The one or more connectors of the system may additionally oralternatively include a channel and a tab combination. The channel ispreferably on either an end (the first end, e.g.) of the mounting frameor on an inner side of the end panel. The tab is located on whicheverone of the mounting frame and end panel that does not include thechannel. The channel is sized and positioned for slidably receiving thetab and manually connecting one of the two end panels to one of theends, e.g., the first end, of the mounting frame.

The one or more fasteners of the system may include at least tworetaining clips. Each retaining clip is sized to snap-fit around thefront and back side of each end panel to compress an insulating layer,which is positioned between the front and back sides, and pull the frontand back sides together, e.g., during installation of thewindow-mounting system in the window frame.

Preferably, each retaining clip includes a channel. In addition, theback side of each end panel includes a raised rib corresponding to eachdetachable section. An outermost raised rib that remains after adjustingthe width of each end panel is positioned for tightly snap-fitting oneof the retaining clips into the channel and around the front side andthe back side of each end panel.

The mounting frame of the present invention may further include aninterior surface that forms an aperture, which is preferably pre-sizedfor receiving a particular fresh air exchanger. An optional strip ofinsulating material on the interior surface compresses upon insertion ofa fresh air exchanger, which preferably promotes a better seal. Theframe may also include at least one integral fastener to secure a freshair exchanger to the mounting frame.

The mounting frame of the present invention optionally includes aslidable clamp for manually clamping to a side of a moveable sash whenit is in a closed position.

The present invention also relates to a method of installing a fresh airexchanger in a window frame assembly having a moveable sash, using awindow-mounting system. The system includes a mounting frame forreceiving the fresh air exchanger and two end panels, each having aplurality of detachable sections. The method includes manually adjustinga width of one or both end panels to a selected width by detaching fromeach (or one) panel one or more of the plurality of detachable sections.The method also includes connecting one panel to a first end and theother to a second end of the mounting frame, fastening thewindow-mounting system to the window frame assembly, and mounting afresh air exchanger to the mounting frame.

The act of connecting may further include snapping a locking clip on thefirst end of the mounting frame to a protruding edge of one of the twoend panels. It may also include sliding one or more tabs on one of thepanels into one or more channels on the first end of the mounting frame.

The act of manually adjusting may include snapping off an end section ofeach end panel. The end section may include one or more of the pluralityof detachable sections.

The method may include fitting a retaining clip around an outer side ofeach end panel to compress an insulating layer, which is includedbetween a front and back side of the end panel. The snap-fitting actionof the retaining clip also locks the window-mounting system into thewindow frame upon installation.

As a result, the present invention provides a window-mounting andsealing system for easy manual installation of a fresh air exchanger ina moveable sash window frame, which is also manually adjustable to awide variety of standard window frame sizes, by incorporatinghand-adjustable, snap-fit features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of an embodiment of a window-mountingand sealing system for installation of a fresh air exchanger formed inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an end panel formed in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the mounting frame of theembodiment of the system shown in FIG. 1, showing a fresh air exchangerinstalled and an end view of the mounting frame.

FIG. 4 is a perspective back view of the embodiment of thewindow-mounting and sealing system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a manually operable fastener formed in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a window-mounting and sealing system foreasy installation and sealing of a fresh air exchanger in a window framehaving a moveable sash, which incorporates hand-adjustable, snap-fitconnectors and fasteners. The system also easily accommodates a widevariety of standard window sizes, without the necessity for additionalhardware, materials, or tools, through the use of pre-sized snap-offfeatures for a quick, easy, and properly sealed installation of thefresh air exchanger in a standard window frame.

The fresh air exchanger of the present invention is defined generally asany device for moving, treating, and/or conditioning air, which requiresinstallation in a window.

Referring to FIG. 1, the window-mounting system 10 includes a mountingframe 12, at least two end panels 14, and at least two manually operableconnectors. Preferably, the at least two manually operable connectorsinclude a locking clip 15 (see FIG. 4). At least one connector isassociated with each end panel 14 for connecting the panel 14 to themounting frame 12. The system 10 further includes at least two manuallyoperable fasteners to facilitate mounting and sealing the system 10 inthe window frame. Preferably, the at least two manually operablefasteners include retaining clips 16.

In addition, the system 10 preferably includes at least one window sillgrip 18 for securing the system 10 to a window sill. The at least onewindow sill grip 18 of the present invention may be adapted to fit anystandard window sill. In FIG. 1, a second type of window sill grip 20,is shown, for example, which accommodates thicker window sills. Thesystem 10 may also include an additional strip of insulation material22, for positioning between adjacent sashes of the window.

Once sized and assembled for the particular window frame which willhouse the fresh air exchanger, the window-mounting and sealing system ofthe present invention fits and seals easily into any conventional windowframe that has a moveable sash. Preferably, the window-mounting andsealing system of the present invention is adapted for installation instandard-sized vertical sash window openings, ranging in width fromabout 24 to at least 38 inches.

In one embodiment, the system is fabricated from a light-weightsynthetic material. Preferably, the system is fabricated from a plasticmaterial.

The mounting frame 12 of the present invention includes an interiorsurface 24 that forms an aperture pre-sized for receiving the fresh airexchanger. In the embodiment of the system 10 shown in FIG. 1, theinterior surface 24 is pre-sized for receiving an oval-shaped fresh airexchanger. Although the present application refers to the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1-5, it is understood that the aperture formed by theinterior surface 24 of the mounting frame 12 may be pre-sized toaccommodate a variety of shapes, sizes and types of fresh airexchangers, by means well-known to those skilled in the art. The scopeof the invention, therefore, is not limited to any particular type,size, or shape of fresh air exchanger to be installed.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the at least two end panels 14 ishand-adjustable in width to fit the desired window frame. Upon assemblywith the mounting frame 12, the end panels 14 seal off an openingbetween the mounting frame 12 and a side of the window. The end panel 14according to the present invention preferably includes a front side 28,a back side 30, and an inner side 32. Upon assembly of the system 10into a window frame, the front side 28 of each panel 14 preferably facesan interior of a room in which the window is installed and the back side30 faces the exterior.

Each end panel 14 includes a plurality of detachable sections 33 forproper sizing of the system 10 in a window frame. Preferably, thedetachable sections 33 are hand-breakable and able to be snapped off. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the detachable sections 33 are equallyspaced and are formed by a plurality of equally spaced v-shaped indentedgrooves 34 extending from top to bottom on both the front side 28 andthe back side 30 of each end panel 14. For each groove 34 on the frontside 28, there is a directly opposing groove 34 on the back side 30, sothat the grooves 34 delineate sections 33 of equal width in the front 28and back sides 30. The sections 33 are pre-sized to accommodate avariety of standard window frame sizes. The width of each end panel 14is preferably adjustable by snapping off one or more sections 33 at oneof the v-shaped grooves 34 on the front side 28 and at a directlyopposing groove on the back side 30. Each section 33 may be individuallysnapped off or preferably, an end section that includes one or more ofthe detachable sections 33 is snapped off (e.g., at one set of opposinggrooves 34) for proper sizing.

Preferably, the detachable sections 33 are equally spaced. In addition,the width of each of the detachable sections 33, e.g., the spacingbetween the v-shaped grooves 34 in FIG. 2, is preferably about one-inch.If the mounted fresh air exchanger is to remain centered, a minimum oftwo inches may be removed from the overall width of the installationsystem by shortening each side of each end panel 14 by an inch.Optionally, an odd number of inches may be removed (for window frames ofnon-standard size) by shortening each end panel 14 by different amounts.

The system includes at least one manually operable connector associatedwith each end panel to connect the end panel to the frame. In thepreferred embodiment described herein, two types of manually operableconnectors are used in concert: a locking clip 15 (see FIGS. 3-4) and aninterlocking channel 44/tab 36 combination (see FIGS. 2-3). The intendedscope of the present invention is, however, not limited to theseparticular types of connectors. Any suitable type of hand operableconnector, mounted on either or both of the mounting frame and the endpanels is considered within the scope of the present invention.

Referring again FIG. 2, the inner side 32 of the end panel 14 preferablyincludes a manually operable connector, for example, the interlockingchannel 44/tab 36 combination, for aiding assembly of the panel 14 tothe mounting frame 12. The connector includes at least one tab 36 on theend panel 14, which mates with a reciprocal connector provided on an endof the frame 12. In addition, the back side 30 of the panel 14preferably extends beyond the inner side 32 to form a protruding edge38. In this preferred embodiment, a pair of tabs 36 extend from theprotruding edge 38, and are positioned opposite each other adjacent thetop and bottom edges. Alternatively, of course, the end panel 14 mayinclude the reciprocal connector(s), e.g., channel(s), and the mountingframe 12 may include tab(s).

Each end panel 14 preferably includes an insulating layer 40 (seeFIG. 1) positioned between the front side 28 and the back side 30. Theinsulating layer 40 includes detachable sections 41, preferably of equalwidth, each section 41 being positioned between adjacent grooves 34. Thelayer 40 is sized to match the height of the panels 14 and the spacingbetween the front 28 and back side 30 in order to provide a proper sealonce the system 10 is installed in the window frame. (Note that theinsulating layers 40 are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 in a verticallydisplaced position in order to display the breakable sections.)Preferably, the sections 41 are hand-breakable. One or more sections 41can then be snapped off so that the remaining width of the insulatinglayer 40 matches the adjusted width of the end panel 14. In this way,the width of the layer 40 can be altered to provide a tight, insulatedseal between the end panel 14 and the window frame upon installation.

Preferably, the insulating layer 40 includes a separate, removable blockof insulating material. Optionally, the insulating layer may be fixedwith, for example, epoxy, to the end panel 14, or otherwise integral tothe panel 14.

Once the end panels 14 and insulating layers 40 have been properly sizedfor the window into which the fresh air exchanger will be installed, theend panels 14, with insulating layers 40 in place, may be attached tothe mounting frame 12.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the mounting frame 12, with afresh air exchanger 43 installed, showing an end view of the mountingframe 12. The mounting frame 12 includes two ends 42. Referring to FIGS.2-3, during assembly, each end panel 14 attaches to the mounting frame12 by manually connecting the inner side 32 of the panel 14 to an end 42of the mounting frame 12. In this preferred embodiment, one of themanually operable connectors includes the tabs 36, located on each endpanel 14. The reciprocal connectors on the mounting frame 12 include thechannels 44 for slidably receiving each reciprocally positioned tab 36on the inner side 32 of the end panel 14. The channels 44 (FIG. 3)preferably extend from a protruding stop edge 46, and are positionedopposite each other adjacent the top and bottom edges.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in the preferred embodiment, each end 42additionally includes a second type of manually operable connector, suchas the locking clip 15. The locking clip 15 is positioned for snappingonto the protruding edge 38 of the end panel 14 upon installation. Toassemble one of the end panels 14 to one of the ends 42 of the mountingframe 12, the tabs 36 on the panel 14 are slipped into open ends 50 ofthe reciprocal channels 44. The panel 14 is then slid along the end face42 until a front edge of each tab 36 abuts the protruding stop edge 46on the end 42 of the mounting frame 12, and the locking clip 15 snapsonto the protruding edge 38 of the end panel 14, thereby locking thepanel 14 to the frame 12. Alternatively, of course, the end panel 14 mayinclude a locking clip, which would then snap onto a protruding edge ofthe mounting frame 12.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5, once assembled, the system is preferablyinstalled in the window frame with the aid of at least two manuallyoperable fasteners, such as the two retaining clips 16 shown. Eachretaining clip 16 is sized to snap-fit around the front side 28 and theback side 30 of each end panel 14. The retaining clip 16 compresses theinsulating layer 40, pulling the front 28 and back side 30 togetherduring installation of the window-mounting system 10 in the windowframe. Upon installation into the window frame, the insulating layer 40preferably forms at least part of an outer side 47 of each end panel 14,so that the foam insulating layer 40 in each panel 14 seals thewindow-mounting system 10 to the sides of the window frame.

The snap fit of the retaining clip 16 is facilitated by reciprocalchannels and ribs on the clip 16 and panel 14 respectively. Each panel14 includes a raised rib 48 corresponding to, and positioned parallel toeach of the plurality of equally spaced v-shaped indented grooves 34 onthe back side 30 (see also FIG. 2). The ribs 48 are also equally spaced,so that an outermost raised rib 49 is in the same position relative tothe outer side 47, regardless of the width that is snapped off the endpanel 14 at an opposing pair (front 28 and back side 30) of grooves 34.

Referring to FIG. 5, each retaining clip 16 preferably includes aninsulating pad 52 facing outwardly from the insulating layer 40 of thepanel 14 and a channel 53 positioned in a top inner face of the clip 16for snapping onto the outermost rib 49. The clip 16 compresses theinsulating layer 40 during installation, as the channel 53 is snappedonto the outermost rib 49, until the surface of the pad 52 issubstantially in the plane of the outer side 47 (see FIG. 4). Aninsulating seal is thus maintained between the panel 14 and the windowframe upon installation. The clip 16 also preferably includes a forwardextension 54, which includes a hook 55 that fixedly latches onto thefront side 28 of the panel 14 during installation. The snap-fittingaction of the clips 16 also preferably locks the window-mounting system10 into the window frame by connecting and fixing the outer side 47 ofeach panel 14 to an interior surface of the window frame assembly uponinstallation. The snap-fit of the retaining clip 16, therefore,maintains a tight seal between the window-mounting system 10 and thewindow frame assembly upon installation.

In the preferred embodiment described by FIGS. 1-5, the movable sash isa vertical sash. The vertical sash is closed tightly down on top of thesystem 10 after installation of the assembled panels 14 and frame 12. Asbest shown in FIG. 3, the window-mounting and sealing system 10 of thepresent invention preferably includes a slideable clamp 56 for clampingto a side of the movable sash. The clamp 56 includes a flat innersurface for clamping against the sash and a receptacle 58 for acceptinga threaded screw. Preferably, the threaded screw is captive in the clamp56 and includes a knob for hand-tightening. Optionally, a threaded screwis provided to fasten and tighten the slidable clamp 56 to the sash. Athreaded hole 60 (see FIG. 1) is positioned in the mounting frame 12 tothreadedly attach the screw to the frame 12, while wedging the sashbetween the clamp 56 and the frame 12.

Referring to FIG. 4, sealing of the system 10 to the window frame may befurther enhanced by including a layer of insulating material 62 on thetop of the frame 12, as well as a long layer or block of insulatingmaterial along the bottom (not shown). The system I 0 may also include along strip of insulation material 22 extending the length of theassembled system 10. The long strip 22 is preferably positioned betweenthe lower sash and the upper sash of the window, after installation ofthe fresh air exchanger.

Referring to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the system of the present inventionmay also include at least one window sill grip 18 for securing thesystem 10 to a window sill of the sash. Preferably, at least one windowsill grip 18 is adjustably extendable from the mounting frame 12,allowing adaptability to various sizes of window sills. Two differenttypes of grips are shown in FIG. 1. One grip 18 can accommodate a sillhaving a thickness of not more than ¾ inch. A second grip 20accommodates a window sill of up to about 1½ inches. It should beunderstood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to usewith one particular size and type of window sill, and that the windowsill grip 18 may be appropriately tailored to any size and shape ofsill.

The extendable window sill grip 18 of the present invention ispreferably inserted into a slot 66 from the front of the mounting frame12. The grip 18 is inserted into the slot 66 until the c-shaped grip 18hooks around the window sill.

The grip 18 preferably includes grooves spaced approximately ⅜″ apart ona top surface of the grip 18, which are oriented perpendicular to thedirection of insertion. The grip 18 may be held in position by anysecuring means. Preferably, the system 10 includes an L-shaped tab 68,which extends from the front of the frame 12, as is best shown inFIG. 1. The short leg of the tab (not shown) snaps down into a grooveupon installation to prevent slippage.

An interior surface 24 of the mounting frame includes a strip ofinsulating material 70 that extends slightly beyond the interior surface24 forming the aperture. Preferably, the strip 70 is a foam insulatingstrip. The strip 70 compresses upon insertion of the fresh air exchangerto produce a proper seal. The aperture is pre-sized, and may be designedfor any size and shape of fresh air exchanger. The interior surface 24may also, therefore, be beveled, machined, or otherwise conditioned forinstallation of a particular apparatus.

In addition, integral fasteners 72 may be included on the interiorsurface, which snap onto an edge or into a channel on the fresh airexchanger 43 being installed, as shown in FIG. 3.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a Bionic AirPurifier Model BAP 336 (The Holmes Group, Inc., 32B Spur Drive, El Paso,Tex. 79906) may be installed using the window-mounting and sealingsystem of the present invention.

Any fresh air exchanger may be installed using the window-mounting andsealing system of the present invention. Most commonly, the fresh airexchanger of the present invention includes, but is not limited to anyone or combination of: an air conditioner, fan, humidifier, heater andan energy recovery ventilator.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may beeffected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from thescope or spirit of the invention.

1. A window-mounting and sealing system for installation of a fresh airexchanger in a window frame assembly having a moveable sash, comprising:a mounting frame for receiving a fresh air exchanger, the mounting framehaving a first end and a second end; two end panels, each of the two endpanels comprising a plurality of detachable sections for manuallyadjusting a width of each end panel; one or more connectors forconnecting each end panel to the first end and the second end of themounting frame; and one or more fasteners for mounting the system to awindow frame assembly.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the twoend panels comprise a front side, a back side, and an insulating layerpositioned between the front side and the back side.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more connectors comprise a locking clip, thelocking clip snapping onto a protruding edge positioned for snappinginto the locking clip upon installation to manually connect the firstend of the mounting frame to one of the two end panels.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of detachable sections are hand-breakablesections, the width of each end panel being adjustable by snapping offone or more of the plurality of hand-breakable sections.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the one or more connectors comprise a channel and atab in combination, the first end of the mounting frame comprising oneof the channel and the tab, and one of the two end panels comprising theother one of the channel and the tab, the channel being sized andpositioned for slidably receiving the tab and manually connecting theone of the two end panels to the first end of the mounting frame.
 6. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the one or more fasteners comprise at leasttwo retaining clips, each retaining clip sized to snap-fit around thefront side and the back side of each end panel to compress theinsulating layer and pull the front side and back side together.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the mounting frame further comprises aninterior surface forming an aperture pre-sized for receiving a fresh airexchanger, and at least one integral fastener on the interior surfacefor securing a fresh air exchanger from slippage.
 8. The system of claim1, the mounting frame further comprising a top side and a bottom side, alayer of insulating material extending along the bottom side, and asecond layer of insulating material extending along the top side of themounting frame.
 9. The system of claim 2, the insulating layercomprising a removable block of insulating foam, the removable blockbeing partitioned into a plurality of hand-breakable sections formanually adjusting the removable block to the manually adjusted width ofeach end panel.
 10. The system of claim 6, the back side of each endpanel comprising a raised rib corresponding to each of the plurality ofdetachable sections, and wherein each retaining clip comprises achannel, an outermost raised rib that remains after adjusting the widthof each end panel being positioned for tightly snap-fitting saidretaining clip into the channel and around the front side and the backside of each end panel.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising atleast one window sill grip for securing the system to a window sill of awindow sash, the at least one window sill grip being manually extendablefrom the mounting frame.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein theplurality of detachable sections are equally spaced, and wherein each ofthe equally spaced detachable sections has a width of about one inch.13. The system of claim 1, the mounting frame further comprising aslidable clamp for manually clamping to a side of a moveable sash in aclosed position.
 14. In combination: a fresh air exchanger; and awindow-mounting and sealing system for installation of the fresh airexchanger in a window frame assembly having a moveable sash, thewindow-mounting and sealing system comprising: a mounting framereceiving the fresh air exchanger, the mounting frame having a first endand a second end; two end panels, each of the two end panels comprisinga plurality of detachable sections for manually adjusting a width ofeach end panel; one or more connectors for connecting each end panel tothe first end and the second end of the mounting frame; and one or morefasteners for mounting the system to a window frame assembly.
 15. Thecombination of claim 14, wherein each of the two end panels comprise afront side, a back side, and an insulating layer positioned between thefront side and the back side, the insulating layer comprising aplurality of detachable sections for manually adjusting the insulatinglayer to the manually adjusted width of each end panel.
 16. A method ofinstalling a fresh air exchanger in a window frame assembly having amoveable sash using a window-mounting system, the system comprising amounting frame for receiving a fresh air exchanger and two end panels,each end panel comprising a plurality of detachable sections, the methodcomprising: manually adjusting a width of one or both end panels to aselected width by detaching one or more of the plurality of detachablesections from one or both panels; connecting each end panel to a firstend and to a second end of the mounting frame; fastening thewindow-mounting system to the window frame assembly; and mounting afresh air exchanger to said mounting frame.
 17. The method of claim 16,said connecting comprising snapping a locking clip on the first end ofthe mounting frame to a protruding edge of one of the two end panels.18. The method of claim 16, said connecting comprising sliding one ormore tabs on one of the two end panels into one or more channels on thefirst end of the mounting frame.
 19. The method of claim 16, said act ofmanually adjusting comprising snapping off an end section of each endpanel.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein each end panel comprises afront side and a back side, wherein the system further comprises aninsulating layer between the front side and the back side having aplurality of detachable sections, the method further comprising manuallyadjusting a width of the insulating layer by detaching one or more ofthe plurality of detachable sections of the insulating layer.
 21. Themethod of claim 20, further comprising fitting a retaining clip aroundan outer side of each end panel to compress the insulating layer and tolock the window-mounting system to the window frame assembly.